English Literature A Level

This course is for 16-18 year olds who enjoy reading and are interested in all forms of literature – prose, plays and poetry. If you enjoy engaging in discussion and writing both academically and creatively, this course is for you.

In Year 1 you will study the history and development of comedy drama, and the development of the genre conventions and sub-genres such as romantic comedy, parody, satire, and Shakespearian ‘transvestite’ comedies. We also explore the philosophy of comedy as well as schadenfreude and the dark and cruel side of the genre. The set texts are The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, and an anthology of comic poetry.

In Year 2 we study the history and development of crime writing, and the development of the genre conventions and sub-genres such as true crime, police procedural novels, psychological and serial killer thrillers, and golden age and hard-boiled detective novels. We also explore the philosophy of crime writing – why do we seem to have an endless appetite for stories about crime, bloodshed, violence and murder? The set texts are The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by the ‘Queen of crime’ Agatha Christie, When Will There Be Good News by the modern feminist writer Kate Atkinson, and a range of poetry in the crime genre.

A minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, including both Maths and English.

Grade 5 in English Literature. 

You will provide a copy of your last school report and/or a reference from an employer or relevant professional other this will include attendance. This is to ensure that we can support you to be able to achieve well on the course.

Applicants with 85% or below attendance will have been deemed not to have met this criteria.

All applicants are given an opportunity to discuss any evidence-based mitigating circumstances that may have affected the reference/school report.

There are three components to this course which will be assessed in two exams, and a non-examined assessment (similar to coursework)

• Component 1: Comedy genre
• Component 2: Crime writing
• Component 3: Non-examined Assessment: Theory and Independence

After studying English Literature A Level you could progress to university to study literature, journalism, creative writing, teaching or any other course which requires excellent oral and written communication skills. 

This course is free to anyone aged 16-18. There is no formal list of additional costs. However, if you are on a limited income, you may be eligible to receive help with these costs from our Learner Support Funding Bursary.